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NDDC Releases N10bn For Niger Delta Entrepreneur Programme

Published

6 months ago

April 4, 2025

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The Niger Delta Development Commission has released the sum of N10bn to the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture to kick start its entrepreneur’s development program.

The Commission explained that the N10 billion is an initial sum of the N30 billion which it promised to invest in the chamber and reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of commerce and trade in the region.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said this while speaking at the inauguration of the board of directors of the NDCCITMA in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Ogbuku said, “During the flag-off ceremony of the sensitisation programme, I did mention that the commission will be investing N30bn in the Enterprise Development scheme to be managed by NDCCITMA to support the entrepreneurs in our region from the NANO, Micro and Small-scale level.

“I am here to reaffirm that promise. Today, we shall make good the promise by releasing NN10bn to the NDCCITMA designated bank for immediate commencement of the entrepreneur’s development program”.

He assured the commission of’s commitment to partnering with the NDCCITMA to achieve its set goals.

“We look forward to their partnering with NDCCITMA for the growth of the economies of the states and the region at large. I would also like to appreciate all the state reps on the NDDC board for their full support. It is good that this is happening in your own time on the board of NDDC.

“NDCCITMA and the Commission will work out the operational dynamics for the program. The commission has approved 5000 businesses to kick-start this initiative, “Ogbuku stated.

He continued, “We assure you that NDDC is poised to grow the region in commerce and trade through encouraging everyone to be part of the NDCCITMA activities”.

Ogbuku further directed all contractors and vendors in the NDDC to ensure they register with the NDCCITMA by July 31, 2025.

“The commission would also like to advise all current and intending vendors in NDDC to register with NDCCITMA, as doing so will be an added advantage for consideration of possible and continued patronage by the Commission.
From today to July 31st, every NDDC contractor must be duly registered with the NDCCITMA.”

Earlier in his remark, the Board Chairman, Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, Idaere Ogan, affirmed the Chambers’ readiness to work with the NDDC to achieve its vision of transforming the Niger Delta region.

Ogan said, “We align fully with the NDDC’s vision to transform the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically principled.

“The NDCCITMA is a tool in achieving this transformation. Our purpose is clear: to serve as a catalyst for development across all tiers of the economy, from nano and micro businesses to medium-sized enterprises and large industries.

“This platform will facilitate job creation, skills development, innovation, export growth, and productive partnerships.”

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NiMet Predicts Three-day Rain, Thunderstorms From Monday

Published

23 hours ago

September 21, 2025

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JUST IN: Ooni Visits Olubadan-designate Ladoja In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2025

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Sunday, paid a visit to the Olubadan designate, Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PUNCH reports that Oba Ladoja will be installed as the 44th Olubadan on Friday, September 26, 2025, following the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 years.

The two paramount rulers are currently exchanging pleasantries.

Details later…

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JUST IN: FG Revokes 1,263 Mineral Licenses Over Unpaid Fees

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2025

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The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has announced a fresh revocation of not less than 1,263 mineral licenses.

These licenses, which will now be deleted from the Electronic Mining Cadastral System portal of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, gave the revocation announcement in a statement issued by his special assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.

The minister explained that the directive was issued due to the companies’ failure to comply with the requirement of paying their annual service fees.

The latest revocation brings the total mineral titles revoked under the current administration to 3, 794 including,619 mineral titles revoked for defaulting in paying annual service fees and 912 for dormancy last year.

By opening up the areas formerly covered by these licenses, the revocation is expected to spur fresh applications by investors looking for fresh opportunities.

The statement read, “Not less than 1,263 mineral licenses will be deleted from the portal of the Electronic Mining Cadastral system of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, following their revocation by the Federal Government.

“These include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.”

Approving the revocation following the recommendation of the MCO, the Minister said applying the law to keep speculators and unserious investors away from the mining sector would make way for diligent investors and grow the sector.

“The era of obtaining licences and keeping them in drawers for the highest bidder, while financially capable and industrious businessmen are complaining of access to good sites, is over.

“The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining. You don’t have to wait for us to revoke the license because the law allows you to return the license if you change your mind,” the minister said.

He warned that the revocation does not mean the Federal Government has pardoned the annual service debt owed by licensees, adding that the list will be forwarded to the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that debtors pay or face the wrath of the law.

“This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the license application processes with speculative activities.”

In the recommendation to the minister, the Director-General of the MCO, Simon Nkom, disclosed that there were 1,957 initial defaulters when the MCO published the intention to revoke licences in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.

He informed the minister that the gazette was distributed to MCO offices nationwide to sensitise licencees and encourage them to comply within 30 days in compliance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and relevant regulations.

He observed that the delay in the final recommendation was due to complaints of several licensees who claimed to have paid to the Federal Government through Remita and had to be reconciled.

Earlier this month, the DG MCO had hinted that more mining licences would be revoked as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector and protect investors from fraudsters.

According to Nkom, the clean-up exercise, which covers expired, speculative, and inactive titles, is necessary to make room for genuine investors and ensure compliance with the law.

This is part of ongoing efforts at sanitising the sector since the inception of the Tinubu administration, and the salutary effects of the reforms are massive and manifest despite the attempts to push back by defaulters and their agents.